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Yeah, I’ll Do That Next Year…

(photo by Kristin Rogers)

Are you the kind of person who makes plans in your head, like…

next year, I’ll do….

next year, I’ll go…

next year, I’ll make…

next year, I’ll eat…

or next year, I won’t eat…

I am said person.

I love to make plans, get better organized, and try new things. However, “next year” has quickly become this year so I need to get on top of it. Craziness! How did that happen?

I’m so excited to plan this year out because I’ve made another special investment in myself. Last year it was a Snapshop course from Ashley.

This is kinda a big deal for this homeschooling Mom of 3…

I’m going to ALTSummit!

One week from today, I will be in a room full of amazingly creative people! After seeing so many encouraging blog posts about this conference last year, I knew I wanted a chair at ALT in SLC 2013. These people are my kin in a crazy way. We understand each other and don’t look at each other sideways when we talk about projects and recipes. We get pumped up and motivated by each other. I’m so happy to be with people who don’t find my blogging and creating habits to be abnormal or even unnecessary. What we do as bloggers is important and I’m excited to be with these crazy awesome people.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Jessica Alba and her awesome Honest products, right?

I’m excited to share a room at The Grand American with my buddies, Ana and Stacy. I promised Ana I’d bring her some cookies and she requested these. I must really like her if I’m going to bust out Christmas cookies in January. haha.

I’m excited to meet my up-until-now-online-only friends. I feel like I know some of them from their blogs and Instagram, but a hug and a laugh really go a long way, don’t you think?

Soooo…

Stacy

Merrilee

Jennifer

Dana

Deborah

…you have a hug coming.

If you are going to ALT as well, please let me know below so we can meet!

Handmade Auction for Newtown!

I’m so excited to be a part of this amazing handmade auction, 100% benefiting the families recovering from the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. It is being hosted by my friends Rachael (of Imagine Gnats) and Kelley (from Casa Crafty), to support the Newtown Parent Connection.

We have all been saddened by the loss these families have experienced from this tragedy. We have prayed and hoped that God would bring peace and forgiveness to their hearts. We have sent them our love. Now, we have the opportunity to SHOW them that love by acting on this great opportunity!

Included in this auction are dozens of great items that have been made by hand from many generous contributors. I donated a cute pennant banner I made using retired Heather Ross fabric, along with a matching set of bean bags. It’s hard to part with this amazing fabric, but this is the perfect kind of thing to see it go to! SO, be sure to go bid on it as well as other items and help those families with the costs involved with losing their children in this horrific way.

Here is my auction item below. Please go here for the facebook auction and here for my auction item specifically.

Be sure to place HIGH bids considering 100% of this is going to Newtown!

Bidding closes on January 18th at 10pm EST

Please include your bid amount and Paypal e-mail in the auction comments to bid (Paypal is the only method accepted for payment).

GO!

I’ve included pictures of a few of my auction favorites that I have my eye on:

We love because we have been freely given so much.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

My waffles in the media.

Remember these sweet potato waffles?

Well, they are sitting pretty with 19 other sweet and savory waffle recipes on the Huffington Post today.

Find the original here or the Huff post here.

Yay for breakfast foods!

How do you take your waffles?

Classic Cocktails: The Presbyterian

(glassware from West Elm)

This is my favorite drink right now.

I first had it at Craft and Commerce, a local Bar and Eatery that makes the best cocktails in San Diego….no contest. I simply asked for a bourbon-based cocktail using ginger and this drink is what I got. Yes, they are that good at C&C that you can have them make drinks to your taste. After a little Google search, I discovered it was an old-time cocktail that’s been around for a loooong time. Pretty cool. I quickly made it, adding my own touch.

I love ginger so very much. I have served this to many people who don’t prefer bourbon and they still seem to love it. The ginger beer really mellows the bourbon but doesn’t crush it, which I love. For my friends who do not like sweet drinks (*waving* Hi, Joanna!), trying adding a bit of lemon juice or use half ginger beer and half club soda.

I think this is a perfectly wonderful drink to bring in the new year with or to have any day, for that matter!

The Presbyterian

(Bon’s way)

2 ounces of Bourbon

4-6 ounces of ginger beer

4 dashes of bitters, like Angostura

candied ginger, for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice, then add the bourbon. Fill the glass almost to the top with the ginger beer and add a few dashes of bitters to the top. Stir and serve!

Do you have any big party plans?

If you liked what you see, stick around and find me on:

F a c e b o o k // T w i t t e r // P i n t e r e s t // I n s t a g r a m // E m a i l

Downton Abbey Christmas Special

Just about to sit down on this day after Christmas and watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Special! I thought you might like to watch too so I posted the link on my Downton Abbey Page here or you can find the direct episode link here!

:: PLEASE DO NOT WATCH THIS EPISODE IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED SEASON 3!! ::